We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Your link has been automatically embedded. Bahamas and Caribbean cruises that leave from Florida ports the busiest in the world still have vaccine rules in place. Four major cruise lines are dropping their vaccination requirements for some sailings next month, the . "I don't think we're talking about a vaccine passport. On March 1, the cruise line also announced its first "fully. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean is dropping its COVID-19 vaccine requirement but there's a catch, This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. The major cruise line previously mandated the covid vaccine for crew members only. For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Clear editor. It has also meant raising more than $12bn from investors to keep the company going. The letter must be signed by the MD or DO. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. The cruise line will still require unvaccinated guests and vaccinated guests embarking on cruises six nights or longer, to take a COVID-19 test within three days of their departure date. Pasted as rich text. 2023 BBC. Some ships can hold more than 5,400 passengers at two to a room. This . Royal Caribbean will now require all guests to get tested for COVID-19 for certain cruises, regardless of their vaccination status. "If they are not sailing this year I would assume that lots of cruise operators go into insolvency and then it is decisive which brand is the strongest," she says. Effective September 3. One of the world's biggest cruise companies says coronavirus vaccinations will be needed to get on its ships. Want to see the total eclipse in 2024? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has kept cruise lines from U.S. sailings since March 2020, has recommended that passengers, crew and port workers be vaccinated. The first is scheduled to depart Miami on July 2, with more joining the fleet through Aug. 23. The mega cruise line has recently been dabbling with vaccine mandates. traveling on another booking) remain subject to the standard cancellation penalty schedule. Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley shared some numbers the CDC had given to him, during his remarks to passengers on the 2022 President's Cruise, Royal Caribbean Blog first reported. What vaccines are required to travel on a Royal Caribbean cruise? "Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be required to undergo testing and follow other protocols, which will be announced at a later date," Royal Caribbean said on Friday. Guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible, the cruise line said in a news release. He doesn't think that there are security issues around the paper documents issued to show vaccines have been given in countries such as the US and UK. In the past few weeks the CDC has laid out detailed instructions on how cruise operators can hold trial runs to test their coronavirus protocols. Guests can rest assured that their health and safety are our top priority and measures will be communicated in a timely manner ahead of our return to sailing., Latest on the cruise comeback: Rogue wave incident | Overboard passenger saved | Covid hits Sydney cruise | Carnival fining unruly passengers | Unvaccinated passengers welcomed | Cheap cruises | No more CDC stats | Record bookings | Rape lawsuit | Carnival fire | Passenger bill of rights | CDC drops cruise warnings | Passenger overboard | Crystal ships seized, Local guides, travel tips and the latest industry news. How to submit a vaccination accommodation request If you believe that you meet the requirements for a vaccination accommodation, please send an email to vaxaccommodations@rccl.com. Cruising is a global industry that, before the pandemic, was worth $150bn and supported about 1.2 million jobs. Earlier this year, several states including Florida and Texas banned the concept of vaccine passports, directly affecting some cruise lines that mandated vaccines, including Norwegian Cruise Line. Monique Giese, who tracks the shipping industry for the consultancy KPMG says it's important for the industry that cruise ships do get back to sea this summer, particularly before the good weather disappears in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Under current CDC regulations, cruise lines can resume business on the condition that its crew is fully vaccinated and that it completes a test trip with volunteer passengers to demonstrate its ability to ensure safety protocols. [TRENDING: Is it illegal in Florida to back into a parking space? But I was impressed at how quickly we're able to do it given a terrible market and a company with zero revenue.". Safety protocols for unvaccinated passengers have also not been announced. In 2019, of a record 29.7 million people who went on a cruise, 46.5% embarked at a US port. If you believe that you meet the requirements for a vaccination accommodation, please send an email to vaxaccommodations@rccl.com. Non-US citizens must show proof of covid vaccine to enter the US. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously halted cruise operations which became early hotbeds for the spread of the virus from sailing in March 2020. Cruise giant Royal Caribbean International on Friday announced plans to bring back six more ships including some of its largest for U.S. sailings starting July 2. In general, Royal Caribbean said guests "are strongly recommended" to have been vaccinated before boarding, and all crew will be vaccinated. After Friday's announcement, Royal Caribbean's frequently asked questions page has been updated to show that vaccines will only be required for ships departing from Seattle, Washington and the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean did not answer a question about whether its decision not to require vaccinations for passengers was a result of the states bans. The letter must clearly indicate the pre-existing, non-COVID medical condition or disability that is contraindicated for vaccination. The new policy, which was announced as the cruise line detailed summer sailings out of Florida and Texas, will allow unvaccinated passengers to board a Royal Caribbean cruise as long as they "undergo testing and follow other protocols." The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. "There will be cases of Covid-19 on board ships, just as there are cases of Covid-19 onshore". Royal Caribbean announced Friday that passengers will not be required to show proof of vaccination. Royal Caribbean's announcement did not hint at such concerns. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. USA's foreign national vaccine requirement ending May 11. "We want you to be more comfortable walking on board a ship than walking down Main Street," Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean's CEO, told the BBC. The US is the biggest market for the industry which has been almost completely closed down by the pandemic. Norwegian Cruise Line, which has not been approved to restart, has said it will initially require everyone on board to be vaccinated. Royal Caribbean senses financial improvements are on the horizon. "They're really anxious to come back. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. By contrast, the company reported a profit of $1.7bn in 2019. Going forward, the cruise . The world's largest cruise line late Wednesday said it was eliminating the requirement only for some of the itineraries it offers around the world. There have been outbreaks on some of the few cruises that have run around the world since the pandemic began. Royal Caribbean's vaccine policies out of U.S. and Caribbean ports are remarkably consistent: For cruises from Seattle, guests who are 16 years of age or older must be fully vaccinated. Carnival Cruise also announced Friday that unvaccinated guests are . Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean, "We are collaborating with local governments throughout the Caribbean to align on vaccination requirements for additional itineraries," Royal Caribbean said in the statement. These Cruise Lines Will Accept At-home Covid Tests for Unvaccinated Passengers, Norwegian Cruises to Allow Unvaccinated Passengers Starting in September, These Major Cruise Lines Just Dropped COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Shorter Sailings What to Know, More Cruise Lines to Start Allowing Unvaccinated Passengers on Board. Coast Guard Rescues 4 Passengers from 3 Cruise Ships in 24 Hours, Holland America Opens Alaska Season With Special 150th Events, Viking Vessel Launches Toronto 2023 Cruise Season, MSC Cruises Announces First-Ever Winter Season in Japan. Is climate change killing Australian wine? Readers react to an op-ed on period weirdness after covid vaccines. VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. - Facial coverings onboard are optional. Upload or insert images from URL. I think we are talking about people who are vaccinated, and there are lots of different ways to show that". Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines sailing with unvaccinated guests have all managed to sail reasonably successfully over the last few months; while a few cases have been reported here and there, there have been no significant outbreaks or other issues onboard. Cruise firm offers 999 free rooms to key workers, AI chatbots 'may soon be more intelligent than us', Russia troop deaths hit 20,000 in five months - US, France May Day protests leave dozens of police injured, 'My wife and six children joined Kenya starvation cult', On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. Royal Caribbean International is resuming cruises aimed at U.S. vacationers this summer - with a twist. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. In a statement sent to TPG, Royal Caribbean suggested it hoped to eventually make its new "no vaccine required" policy more universal. Read about our approach to external linking. By clicking Sign Up, you also agree to marketing emails from both Insider and Morning Brew; and you accept Insiders. Samantha started at WKMG-TV in September 2020. "The combination of the vaccines and testing and contact tracing, all these kinds of protocols really helps us reach our objective, which is to make cruising safer than in your home community," Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean's CEO, told the BBC. You can watch Richard Fain's full interview on "Talking Business with Aaron Heslehurst" this weekend on BBC World News at Saturday 23:30 GMT, Sunday 05:30 and 16:30 GMT, Monday 06:30 GMT and 10:30 GMT and Tuesday at 12:30 GMT. Following August 1, this age requirement will fall to 12 years old or older. You cant complain when it doesnt go your way. It adds that the "CDC acknowledges that it is not possible for cruising to be a zero-risk activity for spread of Covid-19". Royal Caribbean reversed course on its vaccine policy last week, making the jab optional for most of its cruises after the company initially planned to require it.